The seemingly inevitable move, which saves the Bears $1.25 million, was put on hold for a few days, but now Taylor can finally catch on with another team, something that will likely happen in short order.

9/2/2011

Taylor had 10 rushes for 27 yards and added two catches for 28 yards Thursday against the Browns.

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Expected to be cut, the Bears tried to showcase Taylor in hopes of sparking trade interest. Taylor, of course, responded with another so-so performance. However, with Marion Barber nursing a calf injury and Kahlil Bell injuring his ankle Thursday, there is still a small chance Taylor sticks around in Chicago.

Taylor flat out looked old last year, and at age 31, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. His YPC dropped for the third straight year, bottoming out at an anemic 2.4, which is simply unacceptable. Although he converted just three of nine goal-line attempts last season, he may retain that role in 2011 thanks to Matt Forte’s epic struggles from in close. Taylor should see no more than a handful of carries each game, especially with the free agent signing of Marion Barber. As a 32-year-old who can no longer make defenders miss and playing behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines, Taylor is about as unexciting of a pick one can make, assuming he can get on the field ahead of Barber.

2010

Taylor remained in a backup role behind
Adrian Peterson last season, and his YPC
dropped to a career-low 3.6. He’ll turn 31 this
year, but that YPC mark jumped to 4.4 over the
second half of 2009, so he’s not necessarily
done. He’s now in Chicago, and the Bears are
paying him $7 million in 2010, so while Taylor
enters as a backup to Matt Forte, he’s expected
to have a pretty big role. Taylor’s ability to pass
protect and his skills as a receiver fit new offensive
coordinator Mike Martz’s scheme well, and
since Forte has struggled mightily at the goal
line his two years in the league, Taylor could
take over short-yardage work. At minimum, he’s a good handcuff
for Forte owners.

2009

Taylor took a backseat to Adrian Peterson last year, receiving just 101 carries. His YPC dropped from 5.4 in 2007 to 4.0 last season, though the offensive line play had something to do with that. With Peterson emerging as the NFL’s best running back, Taylor is strictly a backup in Minnesota. He would have plenty of value if Peterson were to get hurt, something Peterson’s been known to do throughout his career, making Taylor a must-have for Peterson owners.

2008

Taylor's 2007 season was overshadowed by
rookie sensation Adrian Peterson, but Taylor was
more than solid himself, averaging 5.4 YPC. A
decisive runner not typically known for big plays,
Taylor had an 84-yard TD run during Week 14 and
recorded eight rushes for 20-plus yards on just 157
carries. Thanks in part to a dominant offensive
line, the Vikings' team YPC of 5.3 and 164.6 rushing
yards per game were both best in the NFL by
a wide margin. Since Minnesota runs the ball so
frequently, Taylor will see plenty of work anyway,
but if Adrian Peterson's past issues with health
crop up, Taylor's stock would fly through the roof;
he totaled 291 yards with four touchdowns during
the two games Peterson missed in 2007. Peterson
owners should reach a round or two to make sure
they secure Taylor as insurance.

2007

Taylor put up solid numbers last year, but that had more to do with opportunity than skill. An average running back, Taylor was given 303 carries in 2006, the 10th most in the league. He accumulated 345 touches, so his durability was an asset. He also had the longest run in the NFL last season, with a 95-yard scamper in Week 7. Still, Taylor averaged just 4.0 YPC with six touchdowns, despite getting the 10th-most goal-line carries in the NFL (15). He also ran out of gas in the final month of the season, gaining just 118 yards on 38 carries (3.1 YPC), though some of his struggles could be attributed to having a rookie quarterback at the helm. But the biggest hit to Taylor’s 2007 fantasy value comes in the form of seventh-overall draft pick Adrian Peterson. While Taylor enters the season as the team’s “starter,” Peterson didn’t get selected that high to sit. He’s also much more talented than Taylor, who should be the minority in a backfield timeshare by midseason at the latest.

2006

The Vikings revamped their backfield this offseason, signing ex-Chief Tony Richardson as a lead blocker and bringing in Taylor to compete for the starting running back position. The only other likely candidate is Mewelde Moore, however and the new regime in Minnesota will likely want “their” guy in place rather than the holdover. More quick than fast, but able to find and get through the hole, Taylor put up reasonable YPCs for three straight seasons as Jamal Lewis’ backup (4.4, 4.5 and 4.2, ’03-’05). Taylor can also catch the ball out of the backfield – 41 grabs a year ago – and considering that former Eagles’ offensive coordinator Brad Childress is coaching the team, expect Taylor’s receiving numbers to increase. Taylor isn’t a powerful runner, however, and it remains to be seen what the Vikings are going to do in short yardage. There’s a possibility that Ciatrick Fason could vulture some of the goal line carries.

2005

Taylor is the clear #2 running back in Baltimore, with the Ravens taking the effort to match the Browns' offer this offseason. Watch Jamal Lewis' ankle carefully - you might end up seeing Taylor get a number of carries.

2004

Taylor will enter the season as the Ravens' second running back behind Jamal Lewis. He will compete with second year back Musa Smith for playing time. While Smith has a similar style to Lewis, Taylor is a back who relies more on his quickness.

2003

As Lewis' backup in 2002, Taylor carried the ball only 33 times. If Lewis is healthy this season, it will be more of the same. But, if Taylor holds off rookie Musa Smith, he still holds value if you have Lewis on your roster.